FEMALE genital mutilation (FGM) is one of the most gruesome horrors that millions of women carry with them every day. It involves changing or cutting female genitals and there is no medical reason to justify it. Governments, traditional leaders, the church and civil society organisations must constantly work together to end this barbaric practice that mutilates women’s bodies.
Almost every day in my work as a human rights journalist, I hear of thousands of young girls and women across the world forced to undergo the ‘cut’ against their will. At least 200 million girls and women alive today have undergone a form of FGM. If current trends continue, 15 million additional girls between ages 15 and 19 will be subjected to it by 2030.
Tragically, none will ever forget the tremendous physical pain and psychological terror. Their experience will forever remain raw and fresh.
I strongly believe that FGM should never be treated as ‘women’s issue’. It is a violation against human rights, and human rights issues are also men’s issues. We need to encourage men to protect their daughters. We must go on raising awareness of this injustice. If we can end such archaic practices, it will bring us to a peaceful world and closer to a stage of human societal development in which the rights of every person are protected.
Can you imagine what a wonderful world it would be if women had the chance to thrive, be empowered, and given the opportunity to own their bodies and their destiny?
There is also the issue of child sexual abuse. With schools closed during the COVID-19 health crisis, this has been an increased risk - in some cases because children have spent more time on the Internet. This crisis is more likely to erode the tremendous progress many countries have made in curtailing such abuse. But determining the scale of child sexual abuse is complicated. Not only is it difficult to define abuse cross culturally, but also because of its hidden nature in many societies.
A victim’s dependent relationship to the culprit makes it much more difficult for abuse to be reported. Even if children are able to articulate their experience and to recognise that they have been sexually abused, they fear that reporting the abuse could result in rejection by parents or guardians. In many instances, protection of the family’s reputation tends to come before protecting the rights, welfare and wellbeing of the victim.
It’s a global problem that cuts across class, religion, traditions and boundaries. I strongly believe that to address this epidemic of child sexual abuse requires a coordinated response from all societies to recognise and accept the burden rather than drafting policies that aim to minimise its impact on victims. Otherwise, like FGM, it will remain a silent scourge for generations to come.
It horrifies me that in FGM and child sexual abuse, human rights are violated every day with impunity. I look forward to a world free from injustice; a world full of love, care, protection and support for every human being. These acts of violence against women and children must concern every one of us. Together we can end them. Come on - we can do this.